REAL ESTATE NEWSMAKERS

Saturday

Feb 27, 2010 at 12:01 AM

Gaspar-Rapoza Realty has the pleasure of welcoming two new agents to their strong team of professionals. Their staff, production and community involvement continue to grow and resonate throughout our marketplace.

Gaspar-Rapoza Realty has the pleasure of welcoming two new agents to their strong team of professionals. Their staff, production and community involvement continue to grow and resonate throughout our marketplace.

Coming to them is an agent who has spent more than six years establishing those relationships that build a strong business and referral base. Melody Martin is that Realtor who you know you count on. She knows her clients and puts their needs first. You can rest assured that when you work with her, she will be there for you. Make the most of your buying or selling experience, and give her a call at (774) 263-6027.

They also are excited to welcome Sandra Cahill, who has a strong head for business and the background to make things happen. She is expanding her skillful reach by bringing her 12-plus years as a local business owner to establishing a blossoming real estate career.

Cahill, along with her husband, own and operate Mike's Auto in Westport, and she knows what it takes to get the sale done.

If you need that little extra savvy in making your transaction successful, give her a call and enjoy your buying or selling experience. She is fluent in Portuguese and is available anytime at (508) 353-4752.

Gaspar-Rapoza Realty is a fully staffed, full-service real estate company servicing buyers and sellers throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

So when you're ready to make it happen, give them a call at (508) 993-2700. They are always open at www.GasparRapoza.com.

Linda Silveira of Gold Star Realty has been named Top Producer for 2009.

A full-time multi-million dollar producer with over 21 years experience in the real estate industry, her continued success is a direct reflection of her dedication to service, integrity and conscientiousness. Her business consists primarily of repeat clients and referrals, truly signifying her outstanding merits and devotion to her profession.

Specializing in investment and residential property as well as commercial sales, Silveira is genuinely devoted to her clients, industry and community. As a Dartmouth resident, she is very dedicated to various community service projects. She also is a longtime member of the Rotary Club of New Bedford and serves on its board of directors.

Silveira has and continues to provide specialized attention for all your real estate needs and can be reached at (508) 725-5200.

Specializing in residential and commercial sales as well as property management, she serves clients in southeastern Massachusetts and is a member of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors.

The Massachusetts native was born in Fairhaven. After her marriage, she moved to New Bedford and later relocated to New York and Delaware. In 2008, she and husband Bob returned to Fairhaven.

Wilcox earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Bridgewater State College and is a licensed and certified Massachusetts K-8 teacher and member of the International Reading Association and Junior Achievement.

Her background also includes work as a bank teller, magazine writer, and founder and executive director of a nonprofit tutoring organization. Among her special interests are educational enrichment and remediation, sustainable farming, writing, reading, cooking and spending quality time with her children and grandchildren.

Weichert, Realtors - Mel Antonio Group is located at 1160 Rockdale Ave. in New Bedford. Wilcox can be reached at (508) 991-6661 or visit www.melantoniore.com.

Alferes Realty is proud to announce that Robin Canastra has earned Top Producer of the Year honors for 2009. She is a full-time Realtor totally dedicated to her profession and a consistent multi-million dollar producer.

Canastra has over 17 years experience in assisting both buyers and sellers.

"Robin is a tremendous asset to the Alferes team," said Tom Alferes, president of Alferes Realty. "She fits our TLC logo perfectly (Trust, Loyalty and Competence)."

For all your real estate needs, call her at (508) 998-6900 or her cell phone at (508) 965-0777.

According to a study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, for every dollar decrease in annual home energy expenditures, house values increase between $11.63 and $20.73.

Also, going green can lower the tax bill. New federal tax credits are now available for green home improvements on a principal residence. Qualifying modifications must meet a certain energy efficiency level to be eligible for the credit.

The credits are available for improvements purchased and in service from Jan. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2010. The amount of the credit is deducted from any income taxes the homeowner may owe. The credit is nonrefundable, allowing taxpayers to lower their tax liability to zero, but not below zero.

Tax credits are available at 30 percent of the cost, up to $1,500 (for existing homes only) for windows and doors; insulation; roofs (metal and asphalt); heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC); water heaters (non-solar); and biomass stoves.

Tax credits also are available at 30 percent of the cost, with no upper limit through Dec. 31, 2016 (for existing homes and new construction) for geothermal heat pumps; solar panels; solar water heaters; small wind energy systems and fuel cells.

Clients must purchase products that come with a Manufacturer Certification Statement — a statement from the manufacturer that indicates the product qualifies for the tax credit. For record keeping, experts advise that homeowners retain all receipts.

Additional details can be found at www.energystar.gov/taxcredits and www.homedepot.com/taxcredit.

United Postal Service retiree Steven MacKenzie had his real estate license for three years before putting it to good use. He joined Jack Conway, Realtor's Lakeville office in October and is now serving the home buyers and sellers of southeastern Massachusetts.

"I retired from my job as a UPS tractor trailer instructor in 2007, and played around for awhile taking welding classes and traveling with my kids," said MacKenzie, a Boston native who was raised in California. "Then I decided it was time to go back to work and do something productive again. I already had my license so it was an easy choice to come to Conway."

MacKenzie is a Navy veteran who served in the Far East on the U.S.S. Queenfish submarine from 1971-74. In 1992, he moved to Middleboro, where he lives with his wife Ann, a nurse at Tobey Hospital, and daughters, Taylor, 11, and Hayley, 14. He is a member of the Middleboro American Legion and volunteers for the Middleboro Council on Aging.

For all of your real estate needs, contact MacKenzie at (508) 946-2290 or e-mail him at smackenzie@jackconway.com.

Three new graduates of the Conway Country School of Real Estate, a division of Jack Conway, Realtor, have completed the coursework to prepare them for the Massachusetts Salesperson License Exam. They are Bryan Keaney of Dedham, Corinne B. Nagle of Scituate and Timothy Cannon of Plymouth.

Conway Director of Education Denis Lilla is proud of his school's record in preparing students to pass the state license test on their first attempt.

"We run one of the most successful real estate preparatory courses in the state," said Lilla. "And any graduate of the Conway Country Real Estate school who does not take and pass the exam within 45 days of completing our course may repeat the program at no cost."

Conway Country School of Real Estate classes run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at campuses in Hanover, Lakeville and Hyannis. Tuition is $200, including books and materials.

For more information and an upcoming course schedule, contact Marie Battles at (781) 871-0080, ext. 342 or visit www.jackconway.com. Candidates for the Massachusetts salesperson license exam must be at least 18 years old.

Gold Star Realty is pleased to announce Joe Freitas as Top Producer for the month of January.

Freitas, a broker associate who holds the GRI designation (Graduate, Realtor Institute), is confident that 2010 will be a turning point for the real estate market, as more people become eager to take advantage of the lower prices, appealing tax credits and attractive interest rates. He welcomes this opportunity to express his gratitude for the continued support from all his clients, customers, friends and family.

Freitas, who specializes in marketing and selling REO single- and multi-family properties, is also licensed in Rhode Island and Florida and welcomes your questions and concerns at (508) 509-3014.